PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Rosenburg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Batchiska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rosenburg
vs
Batchiska

183 cm
23
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
26
150 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brandon Rosenburg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Niko Batchiska!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rosenburg shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Batchiska but Batchiska pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Batchiska stuffs the takedown.
Rosenburg stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rosenburg wants it to stay on the feet.

Rosenburg closes the distance and clinches.
Rosenburg is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Batchiska gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Rosenburg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batchiska pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Rosenburg manages to break the clinch.
Rosenburg leaves Batchiska with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Batchiska takes one on the button.
Rosenburg uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Batchiska dives in and grabs Rosenburg's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rosenburg pushes down on Batchiska's head and hops out.

Batchiska drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rosenburg bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Batchiska's guard.
Rosenburg keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Batchiska's head.

Rosenburg decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Batchiska, up you get!
Batchiska throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Batchiska cracks Rosenburg with an open hand slap.
A telegraphed right hand from Batchiska misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Batchiska scores a takedown into full mount!
Batchiska with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Batchiska looks gassed!
Rosenburg is trying desperately to improve position.
Batchiska wants to get back to his feet but Rosenburg is holding on tight.
Rosenburg wants to control but Batchiska is having none of it.
Rosenburg tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenburg is working hard here to advance position.

Batchiska with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Rosenburg tries to lock up and control but Batchiska gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Batchiska tries to control but Rosenburg wriggling away.
Batchiska is looking to stand but Batchiska has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Batchiska avoids the attempt from Rosenburg to control.
Rosenburg keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Batchiska cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Batchiska looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rosenburg is squirming around, avoiding Batchiska's attempts to control the action.
Rosenburg tries to hold on but Batchiska postures up.
Batchiska tries to control but Rosenburg wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batchiska avoids the attempt from Rosenburg to control.
Rosenburg working to try and regain half guard.

Batchiska is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Rosenburg has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Rosenburg!
Batchiska looking to control.
Rosenburg trying to control the position from guard on top but Batchiska is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Batchiska dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Batchiska thows a body shot but no joy.

Rosenburg gets the takedown into side control.
Batchiska is trying to get back to his feet.
Rosenburg cracks Batchiska with a big right hand but Batchiska just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Batchiska tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rosenburg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rosenburg wants to control but Batchiska is keeping him busy.
Rosenburg is really struggling to control Batchiska but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Batchiska tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rosenburg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Rosenburg is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Batchiska is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rosenburg will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Batchiska wants to control but Rosenburg postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batchiska is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rosenburg off and has taken his back!
Rosenburg breaks Batchiska's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Rosenburg wants to control from the top but Batchiska keeps moving.
Batchiska trying to control the position.

Rosenburg is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rosenburg postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Batchiska is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rosenburg, into his guard.
Batchiska trying to control the position from guard on top but Rosenburg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Batchiska is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Batchiska wants to get up but he can't break Rosenburg's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rosenburg lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Batchiska!

Rosenburg looking to secure an arm triangle but Batchiska defends it well.
Batchiska tries to reverse the position but Rosenburg maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenburg tries to control but Batchiska wriggling away.
Rosenburg is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Batchiska is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rosenburg prevents Batchiska from getting the reversal.
Rosenburg trying to control but Batchiska is having none of it.
Batchiska really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rosenburg trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Batchiska is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Rosenburg looking for a guillotine from mount but Batchiska is having none of it.

Rosenburg is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Batchiska can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Rosenburg moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Batchiska has worked his arm free - good work by Batchiska!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Batchiska is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rosenburg's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Rosenburg dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Batchiska misses with the combination.
Rosenburg lunges at Batchiska with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Batchiska's hand.

Batchiska drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rosenburg tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Batchiska trying to control but Rosenburg is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rosenburg holds on and takes a little breather.
Batchiska must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Batchiska wanted to stand there but Rosenburg had control of the position.
Batchiska controls from within his opponent's guard.
Batchiska takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenburg managing to control the position.
Rosenburg trying to control the position.

Batchiska gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A head kick misses from Batchiska.
Rosenburg moves out of range of the leg kick from Batchiska.
Rosenburg uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Batchiska tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rosenburg was well out of range. Poor timing from Batchiska.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenburg lands with a right hand.
Batchiska tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rosenburg sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Batchiska somewhat.
Rosenburg looks to land a combination. Batchiska sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rosenburg misses with a series of wild punches.
Rosenburg cracks Batchiska with a good jab.
Batchiska loads up on a big right hand but Rosenburg slips the punch.
Rosenburg lands an overhand right.
Batchiska uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rosenburg.
Batchiska fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rosenburg checks it well.
Rosenburg blocks a leg kick.
A left lands for Rosenburg.
Rosenburg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Batchiska throws out the jab.
A leg kick checked by Rosenburg.
Rosenburg jabs at Batchiska's body.

Batchiska tries to keep at a distance but Rosenburg has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenburg lands a right hand that snaps the head of Batchiska backwards.

Rosenburg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Batchiska throws a head kick but Rosenburg moves out of range.
Batchiska takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A looping hook to the body misses from Batchiska. Rosenburg does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rosenburg lands with a shot to the body.
Rosenburg dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Rosenburg shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Batchiska is desperately trying to improve his position but Rosenburg has a good base and remains in mount.

Rosenburg looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Rosenburg with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Rosenburg is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Batchiska has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Batchiska!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batchiska sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rosenburg's guard.
Rosenburg has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Batchiska is working away from the top position though.
Batchiska wants to pass the guard but Rosenburg is defending well.
Rosenburg is trying to stand back up but Batchiska is controlling him
Niko Batchiska has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Batchiska passes to side control.
Batchiska working the ground and pound but Rosenburg is defending the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Rosenburg showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rosenburg has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Rosenburg!